Monday, 24 December 2012

Christus natus est

GLORIA IN PROFUNDIS

G.K. Chesterton

There has fallen on earth for a tokenA god too great for the sky.He has burst out of all things and brokenThe bounds of eternity:Into time and the terminal landHe has strayed like a thief or a lover,For the wine of the world brims over,Its splendour is spilt on the sand.

Who is proud when the heavens are humble,Who mounts if the mountains fall,If the fixed stars topple and tumbleAnd a deluge of love drowns all-Who rears up his head for a crown,Who holds up his will for a warrant,Who strives with the starry torrent,When all that is good goes down?

For in dread of such falling and failingThe fallen angels fellInverted in insolence, scalingThe hanging mountain of hell:But unmeasured of plummet and rodToo deep for their sight to scan, Outrushing the fall of manIs the height of the fall of God.

Glory to God in the LowestThe spout of the stars in spate-Where thunderbolt thinks to be slowestAnd the lightning fears to be late:As men dive for sunken gemPursuing, we hunt and hound it,The fallen star has found itIn the cavern of Bethlehem.